Replaceable zipper pull

ABSTRACT

A replaceable zipper pull is adapted for attachment to a tang of a zipper slide. The zipper pull includes an elongated tab for being gripped by a user. A resilient attachment member has a proximal end connected to the tab and a free end for being inserted through the tang of the zipper slide. A locking projection is formed with the free end of the attachment member. Upon insertion of the attachment member through the tang, the locking projection is adapted for engaging the tab in a locked condition thereby securing the tab to the zipper slide.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to zippers, and more specifically to azipper pull which is readily and conveniently replaced or exchanged. Inmany cases, if the pull breaks away from the zipper the entire zipper isremoved from the article and a new zipper installed. For some, theinconvenience of replacing the zipper outweighs the cost of the article.These articles are often discarded, placed in storage, or given away.Many of these articles are in perfectly good condition with theexception of the inoperable zipper. In other cases, existing zipperpulls are simply too small and difficult to grasp particularly for smallchildren and arthritic elderly persons. The invention is applicable foruse on any conventional zipper, such as that commonly used in pants,shorts, jackets, bags, purses, wallets, and suitcases.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a zipper pullwhich is readily and conveniently replaced or exchanged.

It is another object of the invention to provide a zipper pull which isrelatively easily attached to the zipper slide.

It is another object of the invention to provide a zipper pull which canbe manufactured in any desired aesthetic shape, size, and/or color.

It is another object of the invention to provide a zipper pull which isespecially useful by children and arthritic elderly persons.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in thepreferred embodiments disclosed below by providing a replaceable zipperpull adapted for attachment to a tang of a zipper slide. The zipper pullincludes an elongated tab for being gripped by a user. A resilientattachment member has a proximal end connected to the tab and a free endfor being inserted through the tang of the zipper slide. A lockingprojection is formed with the free end of the attachment member. Uponinsertion of the attachment member through the tang, the lockingprojection is adapted for engaging the tab in a locked condition therebysecuring the tab to the zipper slide.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the tabdefines a first opening through which the attachment member extends andsecond opening for receiving the locking projection.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, an anchor isformed with the proximal end of the attachment member for connecting theattachment member to the tab.

Preferably, the anchor is an enlarged ball located within the firstopening of the tab.

Preferably, the attachment member is formed of steel.

Preferably, the attachment member has a gage number between * and * U.S.

In another embodiment, the invention is a zipper including first andsecond complementary rows of intermeshing teeth. A slide is carried onthe first and second rows of teeth. The slide operates when pulled todraw the first and second rows of teeth together, thereby closing thezipper, and to pull the first and second rows of teeth apart, therebyopening the zipper. A tang is formed with the slide. A replaceable pullextends from the tang, and includes an elongated tab for being grippedby a user to move the slide. A resilient attachment member extends fromthe tab, and is inserted through the tang. A locking projection isformed with a free end of the attachment member. Upon insertion of theattachment member through the tang, the locking projection is adaptedfor engaging the tab in a locked condition thereby securing the tab tothe slide.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Otherobjects and advantages of the invention will appear as the descriptionproceeds when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a replaceable zipper pull according toone preferred embodiment of the present invention, and showing the pullsecured to a conventional zipper slide;

FIG. 2 is an environmental view of the replaceable zipper pull attachedto the slide of a zipper;

FIG. 3 is an environmental view of a conventional zipper pull of theprior art;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the prior art zipper pull broken awayfrom the slide;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present zipper pull beforeconnecting to the slide;

FIG. 6 is an environmental view of the zipper pull with the pull tab incross-section to show respective ends of the attachment member; and

FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 are sequential views demonstrating the lockingconnection of the attachment member to the pull tab of the zipper pull.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE

Referring now specifically to the drawings, a replaceable zipper pullaccording to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1, and showngenerally at reference numeral 10. The zipper pull 10 is attached to thetang 11 of a conventional zipper slide 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the slide12 is carried on first and second rows of teeth 14 and 15, and operateswhen pulled to draw the teeth together, thereby closing the zipper 18,and to pull the teeth apart, thereby opening the zipper 18.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a common problem of the prior art. After aperiod of use, the prior art zipper pull “P” is subject to breaking atits base and disconnecting from the slide “S”. In this case, the entirezipper “Z” is generally inoperable and must be either repaired orreplaced. The present invention offers a ready and convenient means forrepairing the zipper “Z”, and replacing or exchanging the zipper pull“P”.

Referring to FIG. 5, the zipper pull 10 includes an elongated hollow tab21 designed to be gripped by a user. The tab 21 may be enlarged tofacilitate gripping by small children and arthritic persons, and may beformed in any desired aesthetic shape and/or color. An attachment member22 extends from the base of the tab 21 and has a resilient lockingprojection 22A integrally-formed with its free end. The attachmentmember 22 and projection 22A are preferably formed of stainless flatspring steel. Alternatively, the attachment member 22 and projection 22Amay be integrally molded of a plastic material. The projection 22A maycomprise any suitable, enlarged locking element located at the free endof the attachment member 22.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and 9, the proximal end of the attachmentmember 22 resides inside the hollow tab 21, and comprises anintegrally-formed enlarged anchor 22B permanently connecting theattachment member 22 to the tab 21. The attachment member 22 extendsoutwardly through a narrow slot 24 in the tab 21, and is designed topass through the tang 1 1 of the zipper slide 12. After passing throughthe tang 11, the locking projection 22A is received in a second narrowslot 25 in the hollow tab 21, as shown in FIG. 7. The resilient lockingprojection 22A is pinched upon entering the tab 21, and immediatelyexpands back to its normal condition once inside the tab 21, as shown inFIG. 8. FIG. 9 illustrates the zipper pull 10 secured to the slide 12 ofthe zipper 18 with the locking projection 22A of the attachment member22 located inside the pull tab 21 in a locked condition.

A replaceable zipper pull is described above. Various details of theinvention may be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore,the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the inventionand best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purposeof illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation-the inventionbeing defined by the claims.

1. A replaceable zipper pull adapted for attachment to a tang of azipper slide, said zipper pull comprising: (a) an elongated tab forbeing gripped by a user; (b) an attachment member having a proximal endconnected to said tab and a free end for being inserted through the tangof the zipper slide; (c) a locking projection formed with the free endof said attachment member, such that upon insertion of said attachmentmember through the tang, said locking projection is adapted for engagingsaid tab in a locked condition thereby securing said tab to the zipperslide.
 2. A replaceable zipper pull according to claim 1, wherein saidtab defines a first opening through which said attachment member extendsand second opening for receiving said locking projection.
 3. Areplaceable zipper pull according to claim 2, and comprising an anchorformed with the proximal end of said attachment member for connectingsaid attachment member to said tab.
 4. A replaceable zipper pullaccording to claim 3, wherein said anchor comprises an enlarged balllocated within the first opening of said tab.
 5. A replaceable zipperpull according to claim 1, wherein said attachment member is formed ofstainless steel.
 6. A replaceable zipper pull according to claim 1,wherein said attachment member is formed of plastic.
 7. A zipper,comprising: (a) first and second complementary rows of intermeshingteeth; (b) a slide carried on said first and second rows of teeth, andoperating when pulled to draw said first and second rows of teethtogether, thereby closing said zipper, and to pull said first and secondrows of teeth apart, thereby opening said zipper; (c) a tang formed withsaid slide; (d) a replaceable pull extending from said tang, andcomprising: (i) an elongated tab for being gripped by a user to movesaid slide; (ii) a resilient attachment member extending from said tab,and inserted through said tang; and (iii) a locking projection formedwith a free end of said attachment member, such that upon insertion ofsaid attachment member through said tang, said locking projection isadapted for engaging said tab in a locked condition thereby securingsaid tab to said slide.
 8. A replaceable zipper pull according to claim1, wherein said tab defines a first opening through which saidattachment member extends and second opening for receiving said lockingprojection.
 9. A replaceable zipper pull according to claim 2, andcomprising an anchor formed with the proximal end of said attachmentmember for connecting said attachment member to said tab.
 10. Areplaceable zipper pull according to claim 3, wherein said anchorcomprises an enlarged ball located within the first opening of said tab.11. A replaceable zipper pull according to claim 1, wherein saidattachment member is formed of steel.
 12. A replaceable zipper pullaccording to claim 1, wherein said attachment member is formed ofplastic.